Festivals are everywhere this weekend, as summer begins. While we wouldn’t take kids to a hugely crowded fair like the one on Union Street, there are a few more local ones that you might overlook. Saturday, June 1, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., College of San Mateo Library plaza: Jazz on the Hill. It’s been nine years since KCSM hosted a Jazz on the Hill Festival. And now it’s back in the beautiful location of the steps of the College of San Mateo. There will be about 5000 people, so plan to come early and bring snacks (although there will be food vendors). There will be a wide variety of music on the bill, but you don’t have to stay for all of it, particularly if you’re bringing the kids. The show begins with the Northgate High School’s award-winning jazz band. But if it were me I’d show up at 1 p.m. for Terence Brewer, Citizen Rhythm (a fusion band) and stick around till the end of the Hot Club of San Francisco (Gypsy Jazz). If you could stand another hour, the slick, imaginative pianist/composer Taylor Eigsti and his trio finish at 4 p.m.
Saturday, June 1, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Berkeley’s Chocolate and Chalk Art Festival happens on Shattuck Avenue every year. Kids (and lucky accompanying adults) get chalk to make art on the sidewalks, the Gourmet Ghetto serves up it’s tastiest treats (plus copious amounts of chocolate), and there’s entertainment too, including pony rides, two bands from the highly regarded Berkeley High School jazz program, and other homegrown acts.